Patrol

Denver Police Release 27-Page Use-of-Force Policy

After more than a year and a half workshopping their “force related policies” with community stakeholders, the Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen unveiled his department’s final document to them on Monday.

The 27-page document outlines proper use of weapons, scenarios in which officers should use them and how incidents should be reported after the fact. It also specifies that officers involved in shootings are prohibited from immediately viewing video evidence, according to Denverite.

In 2016, when then-Chief Robert White announced the new policy would be penned, community groups made it clear they wanted a seat at the table as the document came together. In January 2017, White announced they’d have their shot. In the months since, a small group of civilian representatives have been providing input and fighting for changes.

Pazen said the entire force should be trained in the new standards by the end of the year. In 2019, more intensive training will take place for all officers. That next stage will include an emphasis on simulator training using the department's new VirTra V-300 system.

Scanner audio captured an officer’s account of what happened at the scene, CWBChicago reports: “Ten people surrounded me, indicating that they had firearms. And one person pulled him away from me, holding his waist, indicating that he would use a firearm against me.”

There were so many police officers, sheriff’s deputies and Highway Patrol troopers that the court appearance had to be moved out of Justice Court to Judge John Larson’s Courtroom Number Three on the third floor of the Missoula County Courthouse.

The vehicle pursuit ended in the town of Kittitas where Deputy Thompson was backed up by Officer Benito Chavez. The suspect exited the vehicle and exchanged shots with the two law enforcement officers.

Sarah Wilson and her boyfriend were arrested during a stop in Chesapeake after officers allegedly found drugs in the 1996 Lexus the couple were driving. Police said they handcuffed Wilson and, while attempting to apprehend her boyfriend, 27-year-old Holden Medlin, he became combative and ran away from the scene.